Trey Udoffia gaining confidence for CU Buffs

Cornerback was benched for two games before starting against Washington

By Brian Howell

BuffZone.com Writer

Posted:
10/25/2018 02:20:41 PM MDT

Colorado cornerback Trey Udoffia, bottom, made his first start of the season in the Buffs' loss at Washington. (Hyoung Chang / The Denver Post)

Standing on the sidelines for two games in a row, Trey Udoffia could have been upset.

After all, the redshirt sophomore is one of the most experienced cornerbacks on the Colorado roster, so getting benched for two games was not ideal.

Instead, Udoffia focused on getting himself back on the field.

"I love to see my guys shine," he said. "Watching everyone, we still talk and do film and all of that. The best guy is going to play. They felt (Delrick Abrams) fit the spot.

"There was no hard feelings to anyone. It was more on myself, if anything, trying to figure out what I did wrong. What I came to realize is (head coach Mike MacIntyre) wasn't too happy with the weight I was at. I was grinding and got my weight down last week."

Udoffia's weight loss coincided with an injury to Abrams a week ago. Udoffia made his first start of the season in the Buffs' 27-13 loss at Washington, playing a season-high 54 snaps.

"I felt ready and I felt like I brought my game," he said. "I let up a catch I wasn't too happy about, but that's going to happen. You're playing against good guys. I'm just ready to bring it the rest of the season and show everyone what I've got."

While Abrams is back this week, the Buffs (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) lost Chris Miller to a season-ending thumb injury against the Huskies and Udoffia has once again become an important piece of Colorado's defensive puzzle.

Along with Abrams, CU will lean on Udoffia, junior Dante Wigley and others to step up down the stretch.

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"Our corners have got to play better than they've played," MacIntyre said. "They know that, we know that. With what we do, they're going to be thrown at. That's the way it is.

"Those guys are good enough to do it and they had a really good practice (Tuesday). They're excited about going and playing."

As a redshirt freshman last year, Udoffia played in nine games, with seven starts. He registered 33 tackles and was second on the team with 10 pass breakups.

In the offseason, he put on muscle and got up to 195 pounds, but MacIntyre told him recently, "You don't play as fast; I need you to get down."

Udoffia quickly called a friend, who is a mixed martial arts fighter in California, and asked for advice.

"I hit him up and I was like, 'Hey man, I have to lose weight fast,'" Udoffia said. "He told me to go buy a sauna suit, go ride the bike and that's what I've been doing."

In addition to that, Udoffia said he has reduced his food portions and is more cognizant of his water intake.

"That's what I've been doing and still doing, so I'm feeling good," he said. "I like it a lot. I feel great. I get up in the morning with a lot more energy, more happy with everyone. I like how I'm feeling."

Now at a comfortable playing weight, Udoffia said he's been able to focus more on his game and improving his craft.

"We have to work on a lot of little things, but they cost you a lot," he said. "Your eyes stay down and you don't look up for one second, they catch a touchdown. (Saturday against Oregon State) is a good game for us to work on the little things and build our confidence up going into the next couple of games."

Udoffia got a confidence boost last week and now hopes to carry that through the rest of the season.

"Now that everything is coming back together, I'm feeling great," he said. "I sat back and just waited for my time and my time is now, so I have to prove I belong."

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